In France, Bastille Day is a patriotic event, and this year, it even features a special guest, President Trump

But in Frenchtown, it will be a celebration of the arts, taking place on Saturday, July 15, starting at 3 p.m.

Sponsored by the Frenchtown Business & Professional Association, it will include live music on the street and French cuisine in participating restaurants. Artists and artisans will be displaying and selling their work. A competition will determine the “fastest, steadiest server this side of the Delaware.”

A highlight of the day will be a live performance by River Town Radio Theater in the ArtYard's theater from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. ArtYard is at 62 Trenton Ave., adjacent to the Lovin' Oven restaurant.

The original drama “Napoleon's Piano” is billed as an “homage to the revolutionary spirit” focusing on “a little known highlight of post-French Revolution shenanigans that cannot be found in any history books. Whoever knew Napoleon played such a mean piano?!” A discussion of Frenchtown dining opportunities will follow the play.

A donation of $10 per person is recommended. Proceeds will benefit the FBPA and ArtYard to help them continue to host community events.

The Bastille was a French fortress that was stormed by a mob to free political prisoners on July 14, 1789, an event that led to the overthrow of the monarchy.

Frenchtown's founder, Paul Henri Mallet Prevost, was an officer in the army of the new republic who had been too helpful to the aristocracy. In 1794, he got word that he was scheduled for the guillotine, so he and his entourage fled to the United States, settling in what soon came to be called Frenchtown.

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Nancy West knits while standing in front of the Spinnery during the annual Bastille Day celebration in Frenchtown in 2014. She was playing Madame DeFarge, a character from Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities."(Photo: File photo)

“At its heart,” said Eric Fiorito, co-organizer of the event, “Frenchtown’s Bastille Day is about the unique freedom of artistic expression. Frenchtown has the good fortune of attracting a diverse and passionate group of artists who find inspiration along the banks of our river, and Bastille Day is a brilliant example of how they come together in a community to work and show their work in wonderful venues.”

“It is also the celebration of the culinary artistry of our local restaurants, chefs and bartenders and their creations, and the warmth and intimacy of our shops and creativity in their displays and diversity of the products they carry,” he said.

The other co-organizer is Carolyn Gadbois.

Frenchtown shops, galleries and eateries, many of whom have extended their hours, will make the day special. They include:

The Spinnery, at 33 Race St., with a showing of new art prints by Christine Twomey. 3-6 p.m. and hors d'oeuvres. There will be a surprise visit from Madame DeFarge, a blood-thirsty revolutionary from “A Tale of Two Cities,” who was a prolific knitter.

The Book Garden, 28 Bridge St., with a puppet show by River Union Stage.

Olive with a Twist, 12 Race St., with samples of French cheeses, including the popular brillat savarin triple cream brie, and baguettes and “Eat This” line of marmalades and jams.

Early Bird Espresso & Mercantile, 33 Bridge St., with café au lait and a selection of French pastries, including house-made croissants, an authentic French sandwich into the evening and lavender infused syrup for a spritzer, lemonade or latte.

Yoga Loka, 23 Race St., with a nod to the year of the first celebrated Bastille Day, 1790, a 17.9 percent discount on all boutique items, and mini-croissants and white wine in the evening, plus the showing of a French film at 8 p.m.

The Platform Cookhouse @ The Bridge Café, 8 Bridge St., with escargot served in a cast-iron dish with green garlic infused brie cheese, béchamel sauce and a brown butter crostini.

“The same vein of creativity that runs through visual artists runs through Frenchtown’s musicians as well,” said Fiorito. “The gentle sounds of jazz and original music will be floating through the air along our sidewalks this Bastille Day.”

The event will also include a wine-tasting raffle by Beneduce Vineyards to benefit the FBPA; a roaming mini-mime, billed as possibly the youngest mime to ever escape from an invisible box; and historical walking tours of Frenchtown conducted by ex-newspaper editor Rick Epstein. They start at 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m. and cost $10 per person. No reservations are needed; just gather in front of the The Book Garden at 28 Bridge St.